Know Your Rights: National Cancer Screening Service/Free Screening Programmes

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Know Your Rights has been compiled by Kerry Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public…

National Cancer Screening Service / Free Screening Programmes

Cancer is one of the main causes of death in Ireland.

If you have any concerns regarding cancer or have a family history of cancer or have symptoms that you are worried about, you should contact your family doctor (GP).

Screening means checking your body for cancer before you have symptoms and the National Cancer Screening Service provides the following population based cancer screening programmes:

• BreastCheck, the National Breast Screening Programme
• CervicalCheck, the National Cervical Screening Programme
• BowelScreen, the National Bowel Screening Programme

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What’s the Aim of Screening Programmes?

These programmes aim to reduce morbidity and mortality in the population through early detection of disease and treatment, both of which greatly improve health outcomes.

A screening test is designed for populations of individuals who do not have any symptoms of disease. It aims to identify those with a risk marker for a disease and ensure early treatment.

A screening test is not a diagnostic test, which is designed for individuals with symptoms of a disease or for those identified with a risk marker to assess whether they have it or to follow its progress.

How to I Access a Screening Programme?

Screening programmes internationally and in Ireland are based on a call /re-call system, where eligible populations are invited to take part and clinical services are provided for the further investigation and treatment of people identified as at risk of having or developing a disease.

BreastCheck

BreastCheck is the national breast screening programme. The aim of the programme is to find breast cancer early and to provide treatment of breast cancer in women who show no symptoms of the disease.

Breast screening does not find all breast cancer. But screening has been proven to lower the number of women dying from breast cancer.

The programme offers all women between the ages of 50 and 69 a mammogram (an x-ray of the breast) free of charge every 2 years.

BreastCheck compile and maintain a register of women eligible for screening. Your details should automatically be on the register. Contact BreastCheck on freephone 1800 45 45 55 for further information.

CervicalCheck

CervicalCheck is a national screening programme to prevent cervical cancer. The programme provides free cervical screening tests to people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 65. A HPV cervical screening test is a simple procedure that only takes minutes. It is the most effective way to detect HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) and changes in the cells of the cervix.

If you have any questions or concerns about the screening programme, contact CervicalCheck on Freephone 1800 45 45 55.

If you have any concerns about cervical cancer, have a family history of cervical cancer or have symptoms of cervical cancer, you should contact your family doctor (GP). CervicalCheck will send invitation letters to anyone on the CervicalCheck register who is aged between 25 and 65.

You should already be on the register if you:

• Are between 25 and 65 and have a PPS number or
• Have previously had a test through CervicalCheck

When you receive your invitation letter, you should contact a registered GP or nurse to make an appointment.

BowelScreen

BowelScreen is the National Bowel Screening Programme which offers free bowel screening to people aged 60 to 69 every 2 years.

Bowel screening aims to detect signs of bowel cancer at an early stage, where there are no symptoms.  The test is free and is done by you at home.

You need to be on the bowel screening register to be sent an invitation to receive a home screening test kit.

BowelScreen puts together a register of people eligible for screening from details supplied by the Department of Social Protection, General Medical Services and private health insurance providers.

However, some people are not included on any of these lists so if you haven’t received an invitation for bowel screening, you can check if you are on the register online or by calling Freephone 1800 45 45 55.

Contact your GP if you have any symptoms of bowel cancer. Never ignore symptoms, even if you have had a recent normal screening result.

• If you need further information about any of the issues raised here or you have other questions, you can call a member of the local Citizens Information Service in Kerry on 0818 07 7860. They will be happy to assist you and if necessary arrange an appointment for you.

Kerry HELPLINE 0818 07 7860

Monday to Friday from 10am -4pm. Alternatively you can email on tralee@citinfo.ie or log on to www.citizensinformation.ie

The National Phone Service is available on 0818 07 4000 Monday to Friday 9am – 8pm.

Tralee Team Wins Kerry Community Games Football Final

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The St Brendan’s Under 10 team who won the Kerry Community Games Final on Wednesday evening. Also included are coaches Theo Diggins and Wayne Quillinan.

ST Brendan’s of Oakpark, Tralee were winners of the Kerry Community Games under 10 football for 2022.

This team consists of players from Austin Stacks, Na Gaeil and Kerins O’Rahillys players and the final took place on Wednesday evening.

After defeating Fossa, Glenflesk, Annascaul and 2021 All-Ireland champions  Cahersiveen, St Brendan’s faced their toughest challenge against Castleisland in the final.

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This was a very close battle with both teams working very hard to come out on top. Castleisland went one point up with seconds to go but a converted free kick by St Brendan’s would see this exciting game go to extra time.

Through sheer grit and determination St Brendan’s came out winners on the night by two points.

Both teams exhibited some fantastic football and were presented with Kerry county medals on the night. St. Brendan’s now progress to the Munsters in the next few weeks under the management of Wayne Quillinan and Theo Diggins .

New York Governor Rooting For Her ‘Home Team’ Kerry On Sunday

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New York Governor Kathy Hochul with a Kerry jersey earlier this year.

THE Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul took time out from her busy schedule to send a good luck message to the Kerry team ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland Final.

With her grandparents coming from the west Kerry peninsula, she will be rooting for the Kingdom against Galway.

In a letter issued from her office, Governor Hochul wished both teams well but admits she will be supporting Kerry tomorrow.

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The letter reads; “It is my pleasure to send greetings to everyone gathered in Dublin for the 2022 All­Ireland Senior Football Championship.

This much-anticipated event will bring fans of Gaelic football from around the globe and the Irish diaspora to historic Croke Park for the 135th finale of the Gaelic Athletic Association’s premier inter-county Gaelic football tournament.

Galway’s road to the final included the Connacht Championship and the defeat of Armagh and Derry.

The Kingdom’s road included the Munster Championship and the besting of Mayo and a show-stopping win over Dublin.

Although I know that the best team will prevail, my deep roots in County Kerry compel me to root for my home team.

My grandfather John, from the village of Cutteen on the Maharees Peninsula, was the founder and president of the North American GAA and a star player for our local Buffalo team, as was his son, my father, Jack, after him.

The fighting Kerry spirit is ingrained in who I am today and I know well the commitment, skill, and team work required to play this fierce and exciting game.

I can’t wait to see who takes Sam home. Best wishes for a wonderful and exciting tournament. Ciarrai Abu!”

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Finnegan On Films: God, The Minions, Cops And Debaters

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Our movie guy, James Finnegan, recommends some films on TV today to distract you from thinking about tomorrow’s game…

Comedies about religion are always tricky.  They’re either  bland — lest they cause offence  — or they deliberately set out to cause offence.

Oh, God! (Saturday 2.50 RTE1) is a rather endearing story about what would happen if God returned to Earth, and looking rather like George Burns, selects as his human representative, a mild mannered supermarket manager, Jerry (John Denver).

It is similar in tone to a Frank Capra comedy in that it is light hearted, funny and tasteful.

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Jerry is the epitome of decency and honesty.  He was selected by God in the same way “the millionth person crossing the bridge” is chosen, not because he is better or worse, but because he was there at the right time, and He has faith in the decency of the common man.

Directed by Carl Reiner, written by Larry Gelbart and also starring Teri Garr Donald Pleasance and Bernard Hughes, this is a lovely gentle comedy that might leave you thinking.

Any film that contains the Minions is a winner for me, so Despicable Me 3 (Saturday 6.35pm RTE1) is pushing at an open door.

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Gru (Steve Carrell) and his new wife Lucy (Kristen Wiig) are fighting for the Anti-Villainy League and are trying to stop Balthazar Bratt seeking revenge on the world for cancelling his 80’s TV show.

When Balthazar escapes, Gru is fired by the League.  As his career seems over, Gru is contacted by his long lost twin brother who wants to resurrect the family business – Crime!

This is very funny, although a few too many bathroom-style jokes.  There is a wonderful version of Gilbert and Sullivan by the Minions that always makes me giggle.

Some films depend very much on the chemistry between its cast and Hot Pursuit (Saturday 10.30pm RTE2) is definitely one of them.

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Cooper (Reese Witherspoon) is a by-the-book cop who has to protect a gangster’s widow Daniella (Sophie Vergara), a vital witness in a drug lord Grand Jury trial.

Suffice to say that everything does not go to plan and the women have to go on the run perused by hit men and corrupt cops.

Directed by and starring Denzel Washington, The Great Debaters (Saturday 9.30pm TG4) is based on a true story.  This is a theme we have seen many times before, but it’s usually in a sports context.

An underdog debate team from Wiley College in Marshall, Texas is guided by the school’s English professor, Melvin Tolson (Denzel Washington) who is a hard taskmaster demanding the highest standards from his team of students.

What makes Tolson different is that he is not the dangerous radical or communist that he is suspected to be, but is someone who cares.

His team of Henry, Hamilton, James (Forest Whitaker) and Samantha, all have their own stories and difficulties, but, guided, inspired and tutored by Tolson, they get to the final against Harvard University.  I won’t spoil the surprise by giving the result. Enjoy and stay safe.